Have you ever felt like stress is running your life? No matter how much you try to stay on top of everything, the weight of responsibilities, expectations, and unexpected challenges just keeps piling up. Whether it’s work, relationships, health, or money, stress affects all of us—and if left unchecked, it can take a serious toll on your [mental, physical, emotional, spiritual, financial, etc] health.
Mental Effects: Anxiety, irritability, difficulty concentrating.
Physical Effects: Headaches, muscle tension, trouble sleeping.
Emotional Effects: Feeling out of control, overwhelmed, or stuck.
I know this because I’ve been there.
Struggles with Stress & Why It Matters
Full disclosure, I’ve struggled with both personal and financial stress. There have been plenty of times when I’ve felt completely overwhelmed—juggling responsibilities, worrying about money, and feeling like I just couldn’t catch a break. That experience is part of why I’m so passionate about mental health and financial wellness. I know firsthand how stress can cloud your judgment, drain your energy, and make even the simplest decisions feel impossible. But I also know that there’s a way out.
Let’s dive into how stress affects your mental health and what you can do about it. You’ll walk away with practical steps to reduce stress, regain control, and feel more at peace.
Table of Contents
- Why Stress Is Taking Over Your Life (And How to Stop It)
- Struggles with Stress & Why This Matters
- 5 Signs Stress Is Taking Over Your Life
- The Science of Stress & How It Impacts Your Mental Health
- What the Bible Says About Stress
- How Financial Stress Impacts Your Mental Health
- What You Can Do to Reduce Financial Stress
- Practical Ways to Reduce Stress & Take Back Control
- Frequently Asked Questions About Stress & Mental Health
Do you feel like stress is running your life? Maybe you’re constantly exhausted, your mind races at night, and even small tasks feel overwhelming. Stress can creep in slowly until one day, you realize it’s affecting your sleep, your focus, and even your relationships.
One major sign that stress is taking over is avoidance—not checking your bank account because you’re afraid of what you’ll see, dodging difficult conversations, or procrastinating on responsibilities because they feel like too much. When stress reaches this level, it’s not just a feeling—it’s a cycle that keeps you stuck.
Pro Tip: ✔ Decision-Making Hack – If it takes less than 5 minutes, do it now. If not, schedule it.
5 Signs Stress Is Taking Over Your Life
- You’re Always Tired, Even After Resting
- Stress drains your energy, making you feel exhausted no matter how much sleep you get.
- You Avoid Tasks, Bills, or Conversations
- Procrastination and avoidance are common when stress feels overwhelming—especially with finances and responsibilities.
- You Feel Easily Irritated or Overwhelmed
- Small things set you off, and you feel like you can’t handle even minor inconveniences.
- You Have Trouble Sleeping or Unwinding
- Stress keeps your mind racing at night, making it hard to relax or fall asleep.
- Your Health Is Suffering
- Stress can lead to headaches, muscle tension, digestive issues, or even frequent colds.
If this sounds familiar, don’t worry. Recognizing the signs is the first step to making a change. Let’s talk about what stress actually does to your mind and body—and how you can take back control.
The Science of Stress & How It Impacts Your Mental Health
The Science of Stress
Stress triggers your body’s fight-or-flight response, flooding you with cortisol and adrenaline. This is helpful in short bursts (like if you need to react quickly in an emergency), but when stress is constant, it wreaks havoc on your mental and physical health.
The Impact of Chronic Stress:
Increased Anxiety & Worry – Constant thoughts about money can lead to excessive worrying, making it difficult to focus on work, relationships, or daily tasks.
Sleep Problems – Financial uncertainty can cause insomnia or restless sleep, leaving you exhausted and less able to manage stress.
Strained Relationships – Money is a leading cause of tension in relationships, especially when couples aren’t on the same page financially.
Decision Fatigue & Avoidance – Feeling overwhelmed by bills and budgeting can lead to procrastination or avoidance, making financial issues even worse.
Physical Symptoms – Headaches, tension, digestive issues, and even high blood pressure can be triggered by chronic financial stress.
Pro Tip: ✔ Brain Dump Journaling – Get all your worries on paper to clear mental clutter.
📖 What the Bible Says About Stress
Stress isn’t new—throughout the Bible, we see people facing overwhelming situations, yet God continually reminds us to trust in Him rather than worry. Here are a few comforting Bible verses about stress and anxiety:
1️⃣ God Calls Us to Give Our Worries to Him
“Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” — 1 Peter 5:7
Instead of carrying the weight alone, we’re invited to surrender our stress to God and trust that He will provide. Ironically, this verse happens to be my confirmation passage. I could have never known as a kid when I chose this verse how much I would need it down the road. God is good!
2️⃣ Peace Comes Through Prayer, Not Overthinking
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” — Philippians 4:6-7
Worry won’t solve our problems, but bringing them to God in prayer leads to peace that “surpasses our understanding.” What this means is that the peace that comes from giving our worries over to God in prayer isn’t logical from an earthly perspective. In other words, this peace isn’t dependent on circumstances or abilities—it comes from trusting in God, not in our own ability to fix everything.
3️⃣ God Provides Strength in Overwhelming Times
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” — Matthew 11:28
Stress can feel heavy, but God offers true rest when we turn to Him instead of relying on our own strength. Have you ever felt completely overwhelmed with the obligations of life? Years ago when my husband and I were working around the clock to pay off our debt, I certainly felt the weight of the world on my shoulders with two young kids, a mortgage, and a mountain of resposibily. Maybe you can relate. God wants us to come to him when we’re tired and overwhelmed.
4️⃣ Focus on Today Instead of Stressing About Tomorrow
“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” — Matthew 6:34
Jesus reminds us to focus on the present instead of borrowing stress from the future. Worrying about tomorrow doesn’t change anything—it only adds unnecessary anxiety to today.
This verse also highlights a powerful parallel to financial stress: Just as worrying about tomorrow can overwhelm us, so can borrowing from tomorrow’s resources. When we take on debt today, we limit our ability to meet our needs in the future. Each day, week, and month comes with its own financial demands, and borrowing money today only steals from our ability to handle tomorrow’s expenses.
God’s wisdom encourages us to be good stewards of both our peace and our finances, trusting that He will provide what we need each day.
What You Can Do to Reduce Financial Stress
Financial stress is at an all-time high. Worrying about money can amplify all of the above, making everyday stress feel even heavier.
1. Pinpoint the Source of Your Money Stress
The first step to reducing financial anxiety is understanding exactly what’s causing it. Is it overdue bills? Lack of savings? Uncertainty about your spending habits? Once you identify the core issue, you can take action.
💡 Not sure where to start? My free Money Reset Mini-Guide walks you through a quick stress assessment to help you pinpoint your biggest financial stressor. Download it here!
2. Create a Simple Plan to Regain Control
Financial stress often comes from a lack of clarity. Creating a simple, realistic plan can make all the difference.
- List out your income, expenses, and bills to see where your money is going.
- Set a small, achievable financial goal (like saving $100 a week for 4 weeks or paying down one small debt).
- Use automation for bills and savings to remove the mental load.
3. Shift Your Money Mindset
Instead of viewing finances as a source of stress, try to see money as a tool that supports your goals and values. Practicing gratitude, focusing on progress over perfection, and celebrating small wins can help you build financial confidence.
4. Get Support & Accountability
Research indicates that having an accountability partner can significantly increase the likelihood of achieving goals. If you could double your chances of achieving a goal by sharing it with someone, you’d do it right? That’s the power of accountability and support! Find the people who want to cheer you on and you’ll dramatically increase your chances of success.
P.S. You don’t have to do this alone! If you need help creating a plan that actually works, try a 90-Minute Financial Clarity Session is designed to give you personalized guidance along with an easy to follow plan so you can move forward with confidence. LEARN MORE
Practical Ways to Reduce Stress & Take Back Control
1. Pinpoint Your Biggest Stressor
Not all stress is created equal. Are you overwhelmed by work demands, financial worries, relationship tension, or something else? Identifying the biggest source of stress helps you tackle it more effectively.
💡 Exercise: Write down your top three stressors. Which one is causing the most anxiety? Start there.
Got Financial Stress? This free Money Reset Mini-Guide walks you through a quick stress assessment to help you pinpoint your biggest financial stressor. Download it here!
2. Create Small, Doable Systems
Stress often comes from feeling out of control. Creating simple routines can help.
- For daily stress: Try time-blocking your schedule so you’re not bouncing from task to task. Time blocks should include designated time for things you have to do (like work and to-dos as well as things you need and want to do (like self-care and family time).
- For chronic stress: If stress has been taking over your life for a while, It might be time to talk to a mental health professional. Long-term stress can have a dramatic impact on both your mental and physical health. It’s important to ask for help.
3. Practice Stress-Reducing Habits
Small daily habits can lower your stress levels over time. Even a few minutes of intentional practice each day can make a significant difference in how you feel and respond to stress.
Deep Breathing & Mindfulness – Just five minutes of slow, intentional breathing or grounding exercises can help calm your nervous system and bring you back to the present.
Movement – Physical activity, even a short walk or stretching, releases tension and reduces stress hormones like cortisol.
Gratitude Journaling – Writing down three things you’re grateful for each day shifts your focus away from stress and toward what’s going well in your life.
Prayer & Meditation – Spending time in prayer or meditating on Scripture helps center your mind, release burdens to God, and remind you that you’re not facing challenges alone. Reflecting on verses like “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28) can bring peace in stressful times.
These small, consistent habits can help you feel more in control, both mentally and emotionally, even when life feels overwhelming.
Pro Tip: ✔ Try 5-4-3-2-1 Method – A quick grounding exercise to stop overwhelm. Find 5 things you can see, 4 things you can touch, 3 things you can hear, 2 things you can small, and one thing you can taste.
4. Get Support & Accountability
Studies show that people who have accountability and support are 65% more likely to succeed in making positive changes. And with regular check-ins? That number jumps to even higher! Whether it’s a friend, mentor, or coach, having someone in your corner makes all the difference.
* How to Apply What the Bible Says About Stress in Your Life
- Pray over your stress instead of letting it build up.
- Meditate on Scripture and speak God’s promises over your worries.
- Trust that God is in control, even when life feels uncertain.
- Seek wise counsel from those who share a faith-based perspective on handling stress.
Frequently Asked Questions About Stress & Mental Health
Q: What if my stress is coming from too many directions?
👉 Prioritize! Start with the biggest stressor and work from there.
Q: Does managing money really help with stress?
👉 Yes! Financial clarity reduces anxiety and improves overall well-being.
Q: What if I don’t have time for stress management?
👉 Small daily habits make a huge difference. Even five minutes can help.
Ready to take back control of your stress and your life?
📩 Take the first step today—grab your free Money Reset Mini-Guide and start your journey toward financial peace. Download it here!
📅 Book a session today and start feeling in control of your finances!
Financial stress is real, but it doesn’t have to control your life. With the right tools, mindset shifts, and support, you can break free from the cycle of worry and start feeling confident about your money.
